Lana DeVoss

Lana Marie (Guske) DeVoss, 78, of Pleasant Hill, Missouri, formerly of Atlantic, Iowa, peacefully passed away on Wednesday, December 22, 2021, at the Kansas City Hospice House in Kansas City, Missouri.

Lana was born on October 31, 1943, in Griswold, Iowa. She was the daughter of Frank George and Elna Christina (Karstensen) Guske. She grew up on a small farm, three miles south of Atlantic, which for many years didn’t have running water. Lana initially attended a one-room country school and later graduated from Atlantic High School, Class of 1961. Following graduation, she attended Northwest Missouri State University in Maryville.

On June 19, 1964, she was united in marriage to Edward Lynn DeVoss at St. Paul’s Lutheran Church in Atlantic. They were the first couple to be married in the newly built church. The couple was blessed with two children, Jim and Susan.

Throughout the years the couple relocated often within Iowa, Nebraska and Minnesota. Their twelfth move, upon retirement, brought the couple to Pleasant Hill, Missouri to be closer to their children. It was here, they resided in a home built by their son.

No matter where life took them or what job Lana held, her primary focus and enjoyment was being a mom and a grandma. The DeVoss home was the place to go and a central gathering place. You could always find the kids and their friends hanging out, having snacks, and enjoying laughs with Lana.

She supported her kids and grandkids in their sports activities. Lana was their biggest cheerleader, always rallying them to do their best! She was not only a fan of the family’s sports, but also a fanatic when it came to following professional sports, especially the Kansas City Royals and the Chiefs.

Lana looked forward to road trips (flying was not an option!) to explore the United States, marking each of the adventures with a pin on a map that hung in their home.

Lana’s incredible ability to make you feel well cared for was often demonstrated by the thoughtful items she would frequently gift to her friends and family. It usually wasn’t anything big, but it was always something special to show she was thinking of you. Her daughter’s favorite were the mini syrup bottles from Cracker Barrel she always shared.

She specialized in speed reading and note taking, which likely explains her being an avid reader, finishing countless books throughout the years. Lana kept busy with many hobbies that included collecting, antiquing, attending craft fairs, painting ceramics, cross-stitch, tole painting, and baking; there was rarely a time she wasn’t doing something. Although she wouldn’t consider cleaning a hobby, she was well known for her tidy house.

There was always a family pet to love in Lana’s life. Sophie, the white toy poodle they rescued five years ago, was usually found snuggled up next to her. The family even took Sophie to the Kansas City Hospice House for comfort.

Lana LOVED to laugh and had a great sense of humor! She had a vibrant smile, and her laugh was infectious. Every conversation was guaranteed to have a few laughs. She spent hours on the phone with friends and everyone that knew her well had a favorite funny story.

All of these wonderful qualities will be greatly missed by her husband of 57 years, Ed; “favorite son”, Jim (Liz) DeVoss of Kansas City, MO; “favorite daughter”, Susan (Clay) McCullick of Kansas City, MO; grandchildren, Ben, Luke and Nick DeVoss and Max McCullick; and many extended family and friends.

She is preceded in death by her parents, Frank and Elna Guske and her brother, Bill Guske.

A Celebration of Life Memorial service will be held at 10:30 a.m., Wednesday, December 29, 2021, at Roland Funeral Home in Atlantic, with Pastor Lauri Boysen of St. Paul’s Lutheran Church officiating. Burial will be held in the Atlantic Cemetery, following a luncheon at the funeral home.

Memorials may be directed to the Kansas City Hospice House, 12000 Wornall Road, Kansas City, Missouri, 64145, in Lana’s memory.

Roland Funeral Service is caring for Lana’s family and her arrangements. Condolences may be left at www.rolandfuneralservice.com.